Nigerian suya spice blend requires 12 different ground nuts and seeds—most recipes fake it with just peanuts.
Beef Suya Rice
Get ready to wow your taste buds with this effortless Beef Suya Rice! This one-pot wonder combines succulent beef marinated in vibrant suya spice with fluffy basmati rice, soaking up all that smoky, spicy goodness. Perfect for a cozy night in, it's a comforting dish that delivers big flavor without the fuss!
Prep
15
min
Cook
30
min
Serves
4
people
Level
intermediate
The Story
This Nigerian-meets-Persia collision happened when Lebanese traders brought basmati rice to Lagos in the 1960s, where Hausa suya masters from northern Nigeria said 'brilliant, but needs more fire'—they hijacked the delicate Persian grain and doused it in their legendary peanut-chili spice blend that normally tortures beef skewers into submission.
Regional Twist
In Kano's old quarter, they double the suya spice and toss in dried locust beans with the bell pepper, creating a funkier, more pungent version that'll clear your sinuses.
📝 Ingredients
Shopping List
- 1 lb (454 g) ground beef
- 1 cube seasoning cube
- 1 medium tomato
Pantry Items
Amounts also listed in instructions below
- 1 cup (185 g) basmati rice
- bell pepper (to taste)
- garlic (to taste)
- onion (to taste)
- salt (to taste)
- suya spice (to taste)
- 2 cups (473 ml) water or stock
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Sauté onions, garlic paste, and spices until fragrant.
- 2
Add minced beef mixture (tomatoes, pepper, onions) and fry until cooked.
- 3
Stir in suya spice, seasoning cube, and salt to taste.
- 4
Add washed basmati rice and toast it slightly in the mixture.
- 5
Pour in beef suya, minced stock, and water. Stir well.
- 6
Cover and cook, stirring occasionally to ensure even cooking.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓Toast the basmati rice for 2-3 minutes until grains turn translucent at edges - this creates a protective starch barrier that prevents mushiness and maintains individual grain structure.technique2-3 minutes
- ✓Use a 1.8:1 liquid-to-rice ratio (1.8 cups liquid to 1 cup rice) for basmati in this dish because the beef releases additional moisture during cooking.ingredient1.8:1 ratio
- ✓Cook the minced beef until internal temperature reaches 160°F and moisture content reduces by 60% - this concentrates flavors and prevents watery rice.timing160°F, 60% moisture reduction
- ✓Add suya spice in two stages: half during beef cooking and half in final 5 minutes to preserve volatile oils that dissipate above 200°F.technique200°F threshold
- ✓Let the rice rest off heat for 10 minutes after cooking - residual steam at 180-190°F completes starch gelatinization without overcooking.timing10 minutes, 180-190°F
Share this recipe
Prep
15
min
Cook
30
min
Serves
4
people
Level
intermediate
Share this recipe
Nigerian suya spice blend requires 12 different ground nuts and seeds—most recipes fake it with just peanuts.
Beef Suya Rice
Get ready to wow your taste buds with this effortless Beef Suya Rice! This one-pot wonder combines succulent beef marinated in vibrant suya spice with fluffy basmati rice, soaking up all that smoky, spicy goodness. Perfect for a cozy night in, it's a comforting dish that delivers big flavor without the fuss!
The Story
This Nigerian-meets-Persia collision happened when Lebanese traders brought basmati rice to Lagos in the 1960s, where Hausa suya masters from northern Nigeria said 'brilliant, but needs more fire'—they hijacked the delicate Persian grain and doused it in their legendary peanut-chili spice blend that normally tortures beef skewers into submission.
Regional Twist
In Kano's old quarter, they double the suya spice and toss in dried locust beans with the bell pepper, creating a funkier, more pungent version that'll clear your sinuses.
📝 Ingredients
Shopping List
- 1 lb (454 g) ground beef
- 1 cube seasoning cube
- 1 medium tomato
Pantry Items
Amounts also listed in instructions below
- 1 cup (185 g) basmati rice
- bell pepper (to taste)
- garlic (to taste)
- onion (to taste)
- salt (to taste)
- suya spice (to taste)
- 2 cups (473 ml) water or stock
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Sauté onions, garlic paste, and spices until fragrant.
- 2
Add minced beef mixture (tomatoes, pepper, onions) and fry until cooked.
- 3
Stir in suya spice, seasoning cube, and salt to taste.
- 4
Add washed basmati rice and toast it slightly in the mixture.
- 5
Pour in beef suya, minced stock, and water. Stir well.
- 6
Cover and cook, stirring occasionally to ensure even cooking.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓Toast the basmati rice for 2-3 minutes until grains turn translucent at edges - this creates a protective starch barrier that prevents mushiness and maintains individual grain structure.technique2-3 minutes
- ✓Use a 1.8:1 liquid-to-rice ratio (1.8 cups liquid to 1 cup rice) for basmati in this dish because the beef releases additional moisture during cooking.ingredient1.8:1 ratio
- ✓Cook the minced beef until internal temperature reaches 160°F and moisture content reduces by 60% - this concentrates flavors and prevents watery rice.timing160°F, 60% moisture reduction
- ✓Add suya spice in two stages: half during beef cooking and half in final 5 minutes to preserve volatile oils that dissipate above 200°F.technique200°F threshold
- ✓Let the rice rest off heat for 10 minutes after cooking - residual steam at 180-190°F completes starch gelatinization without overcooking.timing10 minutes, 180-190°F